Virtual Ray Tracing as a Conceptual Tool for Image Formation in Mirrors and Lenses

• Lasse Heikkinen ^[1] ; Antti Savinainen ^[2] ; Markku Saarelainen ^[1]
  1. [1] University of Eastern Finland

     University of Eastern Finland

     Kuopio, Finlandia

     
  2. [2] University of Jyväskylä

     University of Jyväskylä

     Jyväskylä, Finlandia

     
• Localización: The Physics Teacher, ISSN 0031-921X, Vol. 54, Nº. 9, 2016, págs. 538-540
• Idioma: inglés
• Texto completo no disponible (Saber más ...)
• Resumen

  • The ray tracing method is widely used in teaching geometrical optics at the upper secondary and university levels. However, using simple and straightforward examples may lead to a situation in which students use the model of ray tracing too narrowly. Previous studies show that students seem to use the ray tracing method too concretely instead of as a conceptual model. This suggests that introductory physics students need to understand the nature of the ray model more profoundly. In this paper, we show how a virtual ray tracing model can be used as a tool for image formation in more complex and unconventional cases. We believe that this tool has potential in helping students to better appreciate the nature of the ray model.